10/5/03 800 take part in Purgatory
By MEGAN OLECKI,
The Lufkin Daily News
 They
descended on East Texas in packs, wearing helmets and
brightly colored Spandex.
Saturday morning, about 800 people navigated the hills
and curves of Angelina and Nacogdoches counties for the
12th Annual Pineywoods Purgatory.
Four routes were available to suit everyone from the
first-time rider to the most experienced bicyclist. Jim
Miller of Baytown chose the 30-mile route that took him
south to Huntington, across FM 1669 and back to Lufkin
via Highway 103.
"I think it's a challenge," Miller said of the hills of
East Texas. "I'm from the flat lands. A cow patty's
about the biggest thing we got to go over."
 Miller
was one of many riders who paused at the final rest stop
of the route, located near the intersection of FM 326
and FM 1475. The stop, sponsored by Texas Department of
Transportation and Stubblefield Learning Center, had an
"Aloha!" theme complete with Hawaiian leis, grass skirts
and a hut with a bamboo-shoot roof.
As Jacksonville resident Burt Gabbert devoured a piece
of pecan pie, he recounted the other themed rest stops
-- including a bears theme complete with costumes, and
Lufkin Middle School cheerleaders performing cheers.
"The 'Aloha!' stop is by far the best," he said between
bites.
Gabbert said he has participated in Pineywoods Purgatory
for several years. This year he too opted for the
30-mile ride.
"It's the best ride in East Texas, there's no question,"
he said. "When the Lions Club took over sponsorship, it
improved immensely. These people put on a fantastic
ride."
"If I don't ride any other rides this year, this is the
one I'll do," agreed George Buckhold, also of
Jacksonville.
While munching on brownies, cookies, cake, fruit and
sports drinks, riders had the chance to demonstrate
their hula-hoop skills or sign a poster with their names
and hometowns.
Stephanie Hennigan of Beaumont said Pineywoods Purgatory
had been her first big ride, and she appreciated the
hilly and shady 30-mile route. Most of all, though, she
was excited that she had only six miles to go before the
end.
"I can do this," she said triumphantly. "But my husband
took the 80(-mile route), so it'll be a few more hours
before he comes this way."
After the ride, bicyclists were able to shower, eat and
visit at the Pitser Garrison Civic Center. Free massages
also were an added perk. According to Ben Moore of the
Lufkin Host Lions Club, which sponsors the event, these
are the things that make Pineywoods Purgatory unique
from other rides.
"They go above and beyond the call of duty to make this
memorable and unique," he said. "It's been without a
doubt a successful year for Purgatory."
Megan Olecki's e-mail address is molecki@coxnews.com.
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